Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) secured more than $7 million in state and federal tax returns for residents of Greater Boston and the Mystic Valley during the 2024 tax season that ended on April 17th. This is a $1.6M increase from last year. Of this $7 million, $685,000 was returned to filers via the Child Tax Credits (CTC), $186,529 more than the previous year. ABCD offers free tax assistance at 11 neighborhood sites and three satellite sites for Boston and Mystic Valley residents who earned up to $64,000 in 2023.
ABCD President and CEO Sharon Scott-Chandler said the increase in tax return dollars indicates that more people are availing themselves of ABCD’S tax prep and financial literacy services since the COVID shut-down. “The number of clients we serve is steadily returning to pre-pandemic levels, and our IRS-certified tax preparers are relentless in finding every tax credit that is due to seniors, individuals and families who are struggling or trying to get a leg up in this economy,” she said. “Free tax preparation impacts the broader economic environment by allowing taxpayers’ hard earned money to be reinvested into the community. We are pleased to be able to offer this type of no cost financial resource to individuals.”
Two ABCD sites remain open for those unable to file before the deadline or during the past three years – the Mattapan Family Service Center and the East Boston Neighborhood Service Center. Residents can call 617-348-6329 to schedule an appointment. A list of required documents to complete tax returns can be found here. Those who may qualify for free tax preparation services include:
- Workers who earned $64,000 or less in 2023
- People with disabilities
- Senior citizens
- Limited English-speaking taxpayers
The IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program partners with the Boston Tax Help Coalition, of which ABCD is a co-founder. A public-private collaboration with the City of Boston and other non-profits, the Boston Tax Coalition seeks to ensure the full participation of all Boston residents in the City’s economic vitality and future. ABCD is also a member of the Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP) VITA network and offers free tax preparation services in the Mystic Valley Area. Both the Boston and Mystic Valley coalitions fall under the federal VITA program.
